Pakistani rangers target four BSF posts along International Border

New Delhi/Jammu: Pakistani rangers target four BSF posts in Kathua district along International Border here on Friday, says a BSF spokesman. There has been a sharp decline in firing from the Pakistani rangers along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir. Around eight people have died in the week-long violence in the state and over 60 have been injured.

India on Friday sent out a strong warning to Pakistan, saying it will have to bear an "unaffordable" cost if it persists with its "adventurism" as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that aggression from across the border is being responded to with courage.

According to the sources, 'Pakistan is deliberately targeting the villages and civilians by heavy shelling, which continued till Thursday morning. We are only firing at Pakistani border outposts, which is unfortunately causing civilian casualties there.'

Earlier on Thursday Pakistani rangers targeted 60 border outposts and over 80 villages in fresh mortar shelling and firing in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts along International Border. Three BSF soldiers were injured in the fresh firing at RS Pura sector.

The Pakistani troops continued unabated firing for the fourth consecutive day along the IB injuring five civilians in overnight firing and shelling even as a "massive" reply was being given from the Indian side.

With these injuries, the total number of injured in Pakistani shelling has gone up to 60.Seven civilians have been killed so far in the targeted firing from the Pakistani side in civilian areas close to the border since October 6.

Over 20,000 people from the border villages have abandoned their homes to avoid being targeted by Pakistani shelling of civilian habitations in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed the state administration to take all requisite measures for ensuring safety of life of the people in areas hit by border shelling.

The government said India is giving a "massive" reply to the "totally unprovoked" shelling by Pakistan and will continue to do so unless the other side stops.